Suit for circulation of fluid around body



Filed Dec. 11, 1967 July 28, 1970 54. G. SMITH 3,521,621

SUIT FOR CIRCULATION OF FLUID AROUND BODY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 II I INVENTOR.

MARY 6. SMITH I '9 BY ATTORNEYS July 28, 1970 M. G. SMITH 3,521,521

SUIT FOR CIRCULATION 0F FLUID AROUND BODY Filed Dec. 11, 1967 2 Sheets.heet 2 INVENTOR.

MARY G. SMITH BY m. MM

ATTORNEYS United States Patent l 3,521,621 SUIT FOR CIRCULATION 0F FLUID AROUND BODY Mary G. Smith, 905 W. 13th, Wichita, Kans. 67203 Filed Dec. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 689,626 lint. Cl. A61h 1/00 US. Cl. 128-241 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A suit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunction with a physical therapy apparatus is provided having a pliable enclosure means which maintains the circulating fluid therein. A fluid-tight fastening means is positioned within the enclosure means and extends a substantial portion of the length of the enclosure means so that the enclosure means can be positioned around the body. Connecting means are mounted on the exterior portion of the enclosure means so that the enclosure means and thus various parts of the body can be secured to the physical therapy apparatus so that the body can be exercised while fluid is circulating through the enclosure means and thus around the body.

This invention relates to a suit for circulation of fluid around the body.

In one aspect this invention relates to a suit for circulation of fluid around the body which is capable of being positioned on a bed-ridden person while the person remains in the bed.

In another aspect it relates to a pliable suit for circulating fluid around the body having an inner and outer layer which are constructed and connected so as to form a cavity therebetween through which the fluid is circulated.

In another aspect it relates to a suit having connecting means mounted on the exterior portion of the suit so that various parts of the body can be secured to a physical therapy apparatus so that the body can be exercised while fluid is circulating around the body within the suit.

In another aspect this invention relates to a suit for circulation of fluid around the body having at least four inlet openings, two of which are positioned at the upper portion of the suit and two which are positioned on opposite sides and positioned intermediate in the suit, and two outlet openings positioned at opposite sides at the lower portion of the suit, said inlet openings and outlet openings being positioned so that the fluid within the cavity of the suit is maintained substantially constant at all times and all parts of the cavity have a substantially constant amount of circulating fluid therein.

Various types of apparatus are known in the prior art for circulating a fluid around the body in order to massage the body and relax the muscles of the body. Most of the prior art devices, which are used in conjunction with physical therapy, are very expensive and bulky devices thus preventing use of the same within the home of the patient. Further, in employing the devices of the prior art the person being treated must be moved in order to position him within the device which is often diflicult, time consuming, and injurious to the patient in that he must be moved from one location to another in order to employ the device. Such methods are completely undesirable for a bed-ridden patient in that it is very diflicult and impractical to move the patient. Further, when it is necessary to move the patient, the patient is more susceptible to additional illnesses such as colds and the like.

Further, the devices of the prior art suffer from the disadvantage in that a patient in bandages must have the bandages removed before treatment with circulating fluid which is often undesirable, impractical, and many times prohibitive.

3,521,621 Patented July 28, 1970 According to the present invention, a suit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunction with physical therapy apparatus is provided having a pliable enclosure means which can be positioned around the body of a person while the person remains in bed. The pliable enclosure means is provided with an inlet means and outlet means for circulating fluid into and out of the enclosure means and thus around the body. The pliable enclosure means is positioned upon the body by employing a fluidtight fastening means positioned within the enclosure means which extends a substantial portion of the length of the enclosure means thus facilitating the positioning of the enclosure means around the body. The enclosure means is further provided with connecting means mounted on the exterior portion of the enclosure means which are employed to connect desired portions of the enclosure means to a physical therapy apparatus so that various parts of the body can be exercised by means of the physical therapy apparatus while fluid is circulating around the body thus relaxing the muscles in the body.

Further according to the invention a suit for circulation of fluid around the body is provided wherein the enclosure means comprises an inner and outer layer having a cavity therebetween for the conveyance of fluid therein thus preventing contact of the fluid with the body of the person positioned therein.

Further according to the invention, a suit for circulation of fluid around the body is provided having at least four inlet openings and two outlet openings wherein the inlet openings are positioned at points removed from the outlet openings and are positioned so that the fluid Within the cavity of the suit is maintained at a substantially constant temperature throughout, and all parts of the cavity have a substantially constant amount of circulating fluid therein thus evenly distributing the fluid throughout the entire length of the suit.

Further according to the invention, a suit for circulation of fluid around the body is provided having a plate member positioned within the cavity between the inner and outer layer of the suit on the sole portion of the foot and the plate is fixably mounted therein. A plurality of pin members are mounted on the plate member and extend outwardly through the outer layer of the suit. Removable fastening means are operably connected to the extended end portion of the pin members so that the pin members can be positioned into an opening in the physical therapy apparatus and secured thereto by the removable fastening means thereby securing the feet and legs of the body tothe physical therapy apparatus.

Further according to the invention, a suit for circulation of fluid around the body is provided wherein a second connecting means are fixedly secured to the palm portion of the outer layer of the suit so that the second connecting means can be positioned and secured on a physical therapy apparatus to treat a persons hands and arms.

The suit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunction with said physical therapy apparatus of the present invention is especially desirable for a paralyzed bed-ridden patient. The suit is relatively inexpensive, simple in construction, and durable. Further, by employing the suit of the present invention a person in bandages can be positioned within the suit and fluid circulated therethrough to treat injured muscles and parts of the body without damage to the bandages or the necessity to remove the same. The suit of the present invention allows a person to be treated with water therapy without the necessity of moving the patient from one location to another. Likewise, the suit of the present invention is not a bulky, complicated device which requires special technical knowledge and the like to operate the same. Therefore, every person needing water therapy to cure damaged muscles and various parts of the body 3 is provided with a suit for the same so that the person can be treated in his own bed within his own home.

The suit of the present invention, through its various connecting means, enables various parts of the body to be secured to physical therapy devices so that those parts of the body may be exercised while the persons muscles are likewise being treated with the fluid circulating through the suit. The security which the patient is provided by the connecting means is necessary in order to provide the patient with confidence and a desire to use the suit and the physical therapy device in order to overcome the injury and the like. Therefore, it is readily apparent that the suit for circulation of fluid around the body of the present invention is a much needed invention which readily overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art devices previously mentioned.

An object of this invention is to provide a suit for circulation of fluid around the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suit for circulation of fluid around the body which can readily be positioned around a bed-ridden person without the need of removing the person from the bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunction with a physical therapy apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suit for circulation of fluid around the body having connecting means positioned therein so that the suit, and thus the desired parts of the body, can be secured to a physical therapy apparatus so that various parts of the body can be exercised by means of the apparatus while fluid is circulating around the body to massage and relax the muscles of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suit for circulation of fluid around the body which is adapted to prevent the fluid from contacting the persons body so that a person in bandages can be treated or a person can be treated in bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suit for circulation of fluid around the body wherein the temperature of the fluid as well as the volume of the fluid within the suit can be maintained substantially constant and thus can readily be controlled.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the written disclosure, the drawings, and the amended claims.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawings depict preferred specific embodiments of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body of the invention, and it is to be understood that these drawings are not to unduly limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body shown positioned upon a person while the person remains in bed.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the connecting means positioned within the sole portion of the suit for connecting the foot of the suit to a physical therapy ap paratus.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the connecting means of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body of FIG. 2 taken along the line 55.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the fluidtight fastening means of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body which enables the suit to be placed upon a person while the same remains in bed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid-tight fastening means of FIG. 6 taken along line 77.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing the connecting means for the inlet and outlet of the fluid passed through the suit of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a second fluid-tight fastening means of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body which enables the suit to be placed upon a person while the same remains in bed.

In the following is the discussion and description of the invention made with reference to the drawings whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description is of preferred specific embodiments of the new suit for circulation of fluid around the body of the invention, and it is to be understood that the discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a suit 11 for circulation of fluid around a persons body is shown positioned on a person 12 lying in bed 13. Suit 11 is provided with a pliable enclosure means having an inner layer 14 and an outer layer 16, fluid-tight fastening means 17, inlet means 18, outlet means 19 and connecting means 21.

Inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 of the pliable enclosure means of suit 11 are each provided with a collar portion 22, a torso portion 23, arm portions 24, hand portions 26, leg portions 27, and feet portions 28. Inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 are sealed together at collar portion 22 and adjacent fluid-tight fastening means 17 so that enclosed cavity 20 (see FIG. 2) is provided between inner layer 14 and outer layer 16.

Fluid-tight fastening means 17, which will be discussed in detail hereinafter, extend for a substantial portion of the length of suit 11 and terminate at the upper edge of collar portion 22, as shown in FIG. 1. The placement of fluid-tight fastening means 17 within suit 11 allows suit 11 to be placed upon a bed-ridden person thus allowing the person to be treated with the circulating fluid in their bed without the need for excessive moving and handling of the person.

Inlet means 18 are mounted on outer layer 16 of suit 11 and are in fluid communication with the fluid conducting cavity 20 formed between inner layer 14 and outer layer 16. Desirable results are obtained when inlet means 18 comprises four inlet members 29, 31, 32, and 33 and the inlet members are mounted on outer layer 16 as shown. Inlet members 29 and 31 are mounted on the upper portion of outer layer 16, i.e. the shoulder portion, and inlet members 32 and 33 are mounted on opposite sides of torso portion 23 of outer layer 16 of suit 11 at a point intermediate in outer layer 16 as illustrated.

Inlet members 29 and 31 are connected to one end portion of hose members 34 and 36 respectively, and the other end of hose members 34 and 36 are connected to coupling member 37. Coupling member 37 is provided with a pressure measuring means, such as pressure gauge 38, communicating with the interior portion of coupling member 37 so that the pressure of the fluid passing therethrough can readily be measured. Inlet members 32 and 33 are connected to one end portion of hose members 39 and 41, respectively, and the other end of hose members 39 and 41 are connected to coupling member 37 which is also provided with a temperature measuring means such as theromometer 42, communicating with the interior portion of coupling member 37 so that the temperature of the fluid passing therethrough can readily be measured. Coupling member 37 is then connected and in fluid communication with hose member 43 which is connected at its other end to faucet 44 of sink or lavatory 46 so that upon turning on faucet 44 fluid is supplied to the fluid conducting cavity between inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 through hose member 43, coupling means 37, hose members 34, 36, 39, and 41 and inlet members 29, 31, 32, 33 respectively.

Outlet means 19 comprises two outlet members 47 and 48 mounted on outer layer 16 of suit 11 and outlet members 47 and 48 are in fluid communication with fluid conducting cavity 20 formed between inner layer 14 and outer layer 16. Desirable results are obtained when outlet members 47 and 48 are mounted on the heel portion of outer layer 16 as shown. Outlet members 47 and 48 are connected to one end portion of hose memebrs 49 and 51, respectively, and the other end portions of hose members 49 and 51 are connected to coupling member 52. Coupling member 52 is then connected to and in fluid communication with hose member 53 which leads to a sewer (not shown). A valve means 54 is positioned within and in fluid communication with hose member 53 so that the flow of fluid through outlet members 47 and 48 and thus hose members 49 and 51 from suit 11 can readily be controlled. Suction pump means 56 is likewise provided in hose member 53 so that when it is desirable to withdraw fluid from suit 11 through outlet members 47 and 48 and thus hose members 49 and 51, respectively, valve means 54 is opened and suction pump means 56 activated thus withdrawing the fluid from suit 11.

It has been found that by employing four inlet members and two outlet members positioned within the outer layer 16 of suit 11 as hereinbefore described that a constant temperature of fluid is maintained within fluid conducting cavity 20 formed by inner layer 14 and outer layer 16, and at the same time, a substantially constant pressure and amount of circulating fluid is maintained in all portions of the cavity 20.

A first connecting means 21 is secured to sole portion 58 of feet portions 28 of outer layer 16 of suit 11. Connecting means 21 allow the persons feet to be secured to a physical therapy apparatus, such as the peddles of a bicycle, so that the persons feet and legs can be exercized while fluid is circulating through cavity 20 formed between inner layer 14 and outer layer 16. A second con necting means 59 (see FIG. 2) is secured to palm portion 61 of hand portions 26 of outer layer 16 of suit 11 so that the persons hand and thus their arms can be secured to a physical therapy apparatus, and, at the same time, fluid is circulated through cavity 20 of suit 11 thus massaging and relaxing the persons muscles.

Desirable results have been obtained where second connecting means 59 is a strap member 62 connected at its two end portions to palm portion 61 of outer layer 16 of suit 11 so that the persons hands can be secured to a portion of a physical therapy apparatus, such as the handle bars of a physical therapy bicycle.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, sole 58 of one of feet portion 28 of outer layer 16 of suit 11 is illustrated having first connecting means 21 positioned therein. First connecting means 21 is provided with a plate member 63 positioned within cavity 20 formed by inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 of sole portion 58 of suit 11 and fixably mounted therein. A plurality of pin members 64 and 66 are mounted on plate member 63 and extend outwardly through outer layer 16. Removable fastening means 67 and 68 are operatively connected to the extended end portion and of pin members 64 and 66. The extended end portion of pin members 64 and 66 are here shown having threads thereon and fastening means 67 and 68 are shown as wing nuts having machine threads. Fastening means 67 and 68 cooperate with pin members 64 and 66 to secure pin members 64 and 66 and thus the feet and legs of the person wearing suit 11 to a physical therapy apparatus, such as the peddle of a physical therapy bicycle, so that the feet and legs of the body may be secured to the apparatus. One of outlet means 19 is shown positioned on the heel portion of suit 11 and having a hose member, such as hose member 51, attached thereto so that fluid can be removed from cavity 20 formed by inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 thus providing constant movement of fluid through cavity 20 and thus suit 11.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of fluid conducting cavity 20 formed by inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 of suit 11 is shown. As is readily apparent, fluid is allowed to circulate around the body of the person without contacting the body. This is especially desirable when the person being treated is bed-ridden, thus allowing the patient to be treated in his own room and in his own bed, or when the patient is in bandages. Fluid-tight fastening means 17 are shown positioned within the front portion of suit 11, and as can be seen, inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 are sealed together on both sides of fluidtight fastening means 17 so that fluid cannot escape therethrough and contact the persons body. Outlet means 19 are shown positioned on the heel portion of the two feet portions 28 of outer layer 16 of suit 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, fluid-tight fastening means 17, which are positioned within suit 11 to facilitate the placement of suit 11 upon the body of the person, are illustrated in detail. Suit 11 is provided with two openings 69, each opening extending from the upper edge of the collar portion to the foot portion of suit 11. Inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 are sealed together along a line on each side of each opening 69, represented in FIG. 7 by point 71, by any suitable means such as heat sealing, cementing, and the like, thus producing a tab portion 70. A plurality of eyelet means 72 are positioned within tab portion 70, and eyelet means 72 are adapted to receive lacing member 75 therein so that once suit 11 is placed on a persons body the combination of eyelet means 72 and lacing member 75 allow suit 11 to be securely positioned thereon thus allowing the person to exercise freely.

Referring now to FIG. 9, fluid-tight fastening means 17 are illustrated as a zipper means 83 which is positioned and secured within opening 69 of suit 11 by any suitable means which are well known in the art. The co-operation of Zipper means 83 with suit 11 and openings 69 are identical to that of eyelet means 72 and lacing member 75 of FIGS. 6 and 7 and function to simplify the placement of suit 11 upon a bed-ridden person. As is clearly evident from the drawings, fluid-tight fastening means 17 must be separated from the fluid conducting cavity formed by the inner layer and outer layer of suit 11 in order to prevent the fluid circulating therein from escaping through said fastening means.

Referring now to FIG. 8, inlet means 18 and outlet means 19, which are similar in construction, are each provided with a support member 73 having flange 77 at one end and nipple 78 at the other end. Support member 73 is positioned on the exterior surface of outer layer 16 of suit 11 so that flange 77 encircles opening 76 in outer layer 16. Opening 74, extending through support member 73, is thus aligned with opening 76 of outer layer 16 of suit 11 to provide an unrestricted passageway into the fluid conducting cavity 20 of suit 11. Connecting means 79 is then mounted on flange 77 and a portion of outer layer 16 of suit 11 surrounding flange 77 so as to securely aflix support member 73 to outer layer 16. Any suitable method for securing connecting means 79 to flange 77 and the surrounding portion of outer layer 16 can be employed, such as heat sealing, cementing, and the like. An enclosure member 81 is then positioned around the exterior surface of support member 73, connecting means 79, and a portion of outer layer 16 of suit 11 to insure that support member 73 is securely aflixed to outer layer 16 of suit 11. Preferably, support member 73, connecting means 79, and enclosure member 81 are fabricated from the same type of material as is the inner layer 14 and outer layer 16 of suit 11 thus facilitating the coupling of the same and thus preventing leaking of the fluid circulating within the suit from around the various components of the inlet and outlet means. Hose member 82 is then connected to nipple 78, and hose member 82 either supplies or withdraws fluid from cavity 20 depending upon whether it is connected to a fluid source or to a sewer.

The suit for circulation of fluid around the body of the present invention allows a bed-ridden person to have water therapy in his own bed and in his own room. Further, by employing the suit of the present invention with a physical therapy apparatus, such as a bicycle, the more movement of the legs and arms by the patient the more movement of the fluid within the cavity provided in the suit. Thus, While the patient is insured adequate water therapy by the very nature of the suit, the additional movement within the suit creates additional movement of the fluid therein and thus an even more eificient and thorough massaging of the muscles of the patient by the circulating fluid.

Suit 1]. can be fabricated out of any flexible material which is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. Desirable results have been obtained wherein suit 11 is formed of a thermoplastic or rubber-like material.

The foregoing discussion and description has been made in connection with preferred specific embodiments of the suit for circulation of fluid around the body of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the discussion and description is only intended to illustrate and teach those skilled in the art how to practice the invention, and such is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims set forth hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A suit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunction with a physical therapy apparatus, comprising:

(a) a pliable enclosure means for the body having a collar portion, a torso portion, arm portions, hand portions, leg portions, and feet portions, and an inner and outer layer having a cavit therebetween for the conveyance of fluid therein and said outer layer is provided with a plurality of inlet and outlet openings for conveying said fluid to and from said cavity;

(b) a fluid-tight fastening means positioned within said enclosure means and extending a substantial portion of the length thereof for positioning said enclosure means around the body; and

() connecting means comprising a plate member positioned within said cavity between the inner and outer layer on the foot sole portion of the same and fixably mounted therein, a plurality of pin members mounted on said plate member and extending outwardly through said outer layer, and removable fastening operably connected to the extended end portion of each of said pin members so that said pin members can be positioned into an opening in a physical therapy apparatus and secured thereto by said removable fastening means thereby securing the feet and legs of the body to said apparatus.

2. A suit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunction with a physical therapy apparatus, comprising:

(a) a pliable enclosure means for the body having a collar portion, a torso portion, arm portions, hand portions, leg portions, and feet portions, and an inner and outer layer having a cavity therebetween for the conveyance of fluid therein and said outer layer is provided with a plurality of inlet and outlet openings for conveying said fluid to and from said cavity;

(b) a fluid-tight fastening means positioned within said enclosure means and extending a substantial portion of the length thereof for positioning said enclosure means around the body;

(0) connecting means mounted on the exterior portion of said enclosure means for connecting desired portions of the enclosure means to a a physical therapy apparatus so that various parts of the body can be exercised by means of said apparatus while fluid is circulating around the body; and

(d) a second connecting means fixably secured to the palm portion of said outer layer so that said second connecting means can be positioned and secured on a physical therapy apparatus to treat of persons arms and hands.

3. The suit for circulation of fluid around the body according to claim 2 wherein said second connecting means is a strap member connected at its two ends to the palm portion of said outer layer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 26,663 1/1860 French l28402 XR 2,228,115 1/1941 Holste 1281 2,832,336 4/1958 Davis et al. 12824 2,834,340 5/1958 Walter. 3,034,131 5/ 1962 Lent.

L. W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

Patent No. 3,521,621 July 28, 1970 Mary G. Smith It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 64, "theromometer" should read thermometer Column 5, line 7, "memebns" should read Column 7, line 42, after "fastening" insert second occurrence;

members means Column 8, line 19, cancel "a", line 26, "of" should read a Signed and sealed this 23rd day of February 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. E. Commissioner of Patents Attcsting Officer 

